Three more bulldogs put down after mauling death

In this file photo from Dec. 29, 2006, Alan Haaker encourages his dog Uno to hang on at the 2006 Ocala Bulldog Blast II at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. On Saturday, Uno was blamed in the death of a 3-year-old girl. Uno and three other American Bull dogs were later euthanized by Marion County Animal Services.

Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:20 p.m.

OCALA - Three female American bulldogs seized from a residence following a fatal attack on a 3-year-old were euthanized Wednesday.

A fourth dog, Uno, a male, was euthanized Tuesday.

The attack occurred Saturday at Haaker's Dream Bulldog Ranch.

The dogs owner, Lori Haaker, agreed to surrender custody of the three female dogs to Marion County Animal Services on Wednesday, despite knowing the dogs would be killed, county spokeswoman Elaine DeIorio said.

The three dogs were euthanized because no one saw the mauling and any of the dogs could have attacked the child, stated Animal Services Director Jill Lancon in a news release.

"We can't risk another tragedy," she states. "Our top priority is public safety, and we would be truly remiss if we allowed these dogs to be adopted."

All four dogs were removed from Haaker's Dream Bulldog Ranch on Saturday.

The girl, whose identity has been withheld by detectives citing the ongoing investigation, had entered a pen holding the dogs and become entangled in Uno's chain, Sheriff's Office reports say.

Haaker, reportedly the girl's mother, had gone inside to use the bathroom when the attack occurred.

It was unclear how the girl entered the pen.

Animal Services will not adopt out dogs that are aggressive or have other behavioral problems, according to the news release.

Archived versions of the Haaker ranch Web site show the dogs were raised for a variety of tasks, including personal protection, cattle herding and hog catching.

<p>OCALA - Three female American bulldogs seized from a residence following a fatal attack on a 3-year-old were euthanized Wednesday.</p><p>A fourth dog, Uno, a male, was euthanized Tuesday.</p><p>The attack occurred Saturday at Haaker's Dream Bulldog Ranch.</p><p>The dogs owner, Lori Haaker, agreed to surrender custody of the three female dogs to Marion County Animal Services on Wednesday, despite knowing the dogs would be killed, county spokeswoman Elaine DeIorio said.</p><p>The three dogs were euthanized because no one saw the mauling and any of the dogs could have attacked the child, stated Animal Services Director Jill Lancon in a news release.</p><p>"We can't risk another tragedy," she states. "Our top priority is public safety, and we would be truly remiss if we allowed these dogs to be adopted."</p><p>All four dogs were removed from Haaker's Dream Bulldog Ranch on Saturday.</p><p>The girl, whose identity has been withheld by detectives citing the ongoing investigation, had entered a pen holding the dogs and become entangled in Uno's chain, Sheriff's Office reports say.</p><p>Haaker, reportedly the girl's mother, had gone inside to use the bathroom when the attack occurred.</p><p>It was unclear how the girl entered the pen.</p><p>Animal Services will not adopt out dogs that are aggressive or have other behavioral problems, according to the news release.</p><p>Archived versions of the Haaker ranch Web site show the dogs were raised for a variety of tasks, including personal protection, cattle herding and hog catching.</p><p><i>Contact Jackie Alexander at 867-4140 or jackie.alexander@starbanner.com.</i></p>